Back to School – Children’s Shoe Buying Guide

Back to School – how to identify potential concerns in Children’s Feet and make sure the fit is right

How Children’s Feet Are Different To Adult Feet

Children’s feet are not fully formed until around 18 years of age. The last bone in a child’s foot doesn’t begin to form until children are approximately 3 years old.

The Australian Podiatry Association recommends to conduct a size check of your children’s feet at least every 1 to 3 months up to the age of three and every 4 months up to the age of five and then every 6 months until your child stops growing.

Fitting Footwear – how to know if the shoe fits

*REFERENCE AUSTRALIAN PODIATRY ASSOCIATION*

Always have both feet measured for length

Toes should not touch the end of the shoe, otherwise damage can occur to the nail and toe, you need a gap of about 1cm from the end of the largest toe to the shoe

Shoes should be broad enough and deep enough – if you can see the outline of the foot pressing against the shoe it is the wrong fit